Badgers football chat with Jeff Potrykus

Monday, Nov. 13 transcript.

3rd & 7 37yd

3rd & 7 37yd

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Jeff, absolutely enjoy reading and listening to your Badger perspective. I also enjoy listening to your insight on the Big 1070. On Saturday I was surprised and disappointed that the helmet to helmet hit on Fumagalli wasn't reviewed. Is there any chance the B1G will review that play and issue some sanction?

by Hawk 4911/14/2017 1:00:49 AM

OK, let's get started. I remember the play. Haven't really looked at the replay and no one from UW has said a word. Teams send in plays for review/clarification all the time. But a belated sanction? Would not anticipate anything.

by Jeff Potrykus11/14/2017 1:02:03 AM

JP, what is the likelihood that we could lose some coaches at the end of the season? I expect both coordinators to be back, but I would think there would be teams wanting our LB's coach, Tebisar, as a possible D-coordinator. And has Settle decided that Madison is the place for him?

by SuperDave11/14/2017 1:02:09 AM

Likely? No idea. Possible? Always I don't see guys like Settle, Turner, JL, Rudolph, Haering or Bostad going anywhere. Gilmore and family love it here and a son is in HS. A frosh I believe. Think they'd like to see him graduate. Tibs has gone for DC title here and missed out. Not sure how long he wants to remain a position coach, here or anywhere. But he does like it here and likes working for PC. No drama or micromanaging.

by Jeff Potrykus11/14/2017 1:04:07 AM

Hello Jeff:Given the way the defense is performing, is there a case to be made for more conservative play calling by Joe Rudolph? Specifically, keeping the passing play calls as low risk as possible would seem to make a lot sense. Also throwing the ball on nearly every third down seems unnecessary especially when running it once in awhile would be against tendency. Thanks for your take.

by John Hopkinson11/14/2017 1:04:16 AM

The HC calls the plays. I think they've been content to rely on the defense at times this year -- Illinois, IU -- after getting the lead. In general, you'll see more aggressive calls based on field position, down and distance. Look at the end-around for a TD vs. Iowa as one example. They were also near midfield when Hornibrook went deep to Davis -- toward Fieldhouse. That was an aggressive call, allowing the QB to give the WR a chance to go up and make a play. But it was also conservative in that it turned out to be a long punt.

by Jeff Potrykus11/14/2017 1:07:10 AM

Jeff - with JT's fumbles can you explain to us what the "high and tight" and "three points of pressure" means? I'm sure he is being coached to do that but I don't know for sure what to look for.

by Dave DSM11/14/2017 1:07:18 AM

High and tight is just as it sounds. I'd find a football if you can and hold it in your dominant arm, high up to your armpit and tight to your body. Nothing more. Three points of pressure? Here you go:

by Jeff Potrykus11/14/2017 1:10:07 AM

Leonhard seems to be doing OK in his first year as DQ and second year as a coach. :-) How familiar is he with the 3-4 defense? Did he play in a 3-4 defense in the pros? Did he mostly learn it from Aranda? Is it his preferred defense? AND about what % of college Ds use the 3-4? Thanks! Love your work!!

by Pete from New Haven11/14/2017 1:11:10 AM

Jim has played in a variety of defenses in college and pros. Played in a base 3-4 at times in the pros, with multiple fronts and blitz schemes. He looked at film during Aranda's last season but Jim learned most of what he knows in the NFL. Jim isn't married to any scheme. He'll use what the talent and opponents dictate. He has played more even fronts (2-4-5) than odd (3-4-4) this season. Aranda had similar stretches.

by Jeff Potrykus11/14/2017 1:13:44 AM

Jeff-even before the first pick six #12 ran a bootleg and had a VERY open receiver ( I think it was #81). Looked like an easy 10 yard gain. By the time the ball finally got out there the receiver was closely covered and the gain was negligible. That wasn't the only time. I'm not trying to rip the guy, but it surely seems he is often very slow on the draw, and that seems to be his biggest fault. Overall he's done a good job, but these picks are getting scary. Agreed?

by William11/14/2017 1:14:16 AM

I don't recall the specifics of the first play and I don't have it on my recording because the game started on a different channel with the early game running over. But they do run plays on which he rolls out and has options at different depths. Usually it is a TE short with a WR running deeper crossing route. That route takes time to develop, so what he likes to do if he has time is wait to see if the WR can get into the open and he then he goes there. If that doesn't happen he'll then look back to the TE. I know he has hit Cephus on that route several times and I believe he hit Davis on the same action against Iowa. It would have been in the fourth quarter because they were heading toward Fieldhouse. While it might appear he is slow on the draw, he is waiting for the WR to clear. Again, I think that is the route combo you are talking about.

by Jeff Potrykus11/14/2017 1:19:48 AM

Jeff, if you're Michigan, doesn't it make sense to load the box to shut down Taylor and challenge AH to beat you? Do you think at some point AH will have to step and win a game for us if we're going to run the table?

by LA Dan11/14/2017 1:19:59 AM

Haven't had time to look at Michigan tape yet but the DC Don Brown is aggressive as hell. If he stays true to form he run blitz the hell out of UW and let his corners in one-on-one matchups.

by Jeff Potrykus11/14/2017 1:20:48 AM

Jeff I know you get asked this every week and it’s gotta be annoying but what will it take for Hornibrook to stop throwing the interceptions? Do you see it as more of a misread issue or poor fundamentals? I ask understanding Ibrahim could have caught the ball and Davis could have knocked it down but both those throws could have been better too (lower and more to the sideline respectively).

by Jon11/14/2017 1:21:00 AM

This is off top of my head: FAU pick he rushed and didn't check to see the defender there. Mental mistake. Two vs. Cats. One was an overthrow down the sideline to Davis. Not a good decision. Ditto for the other one. He tried to hit Penniston down the middle and the ball was overthrown. But Penniston didn't fight for ball, either. Maryland. He tried to hit AJ Taylor on a crosser. It was a tight window and the ball sailed deep to safety. Not a good choice. Purdue. One was on WR who either misread coverage or just broke wrong way. Ball was where it was supposed to be. On the screen, which had no chance to succeed, ball should have been thrown into ground. Illinois. A defender who was manned up on Fumagalli was beaten so badly at the LOS that he stopped covering Fumagalli and dropped into a zone. Ball was going to Fumagalli for a completion but it was a pick because the defender was in a spot not anticipated by QB/dictated by coverage. IU. He got hit as he threw. Iowa. Bad choice on first pick. Second one -- deep down middle to Davis -- was just a QB giving his WR a chance to go one-on-one. That was just a safety making a play. The checkdown to Ibrahim that was picked in the third quarter was on both players. Throw was a bit high and hot but the RB got both hands on the ball. Have to help out the QB when you can. Hope that helps.

by Jeff Potrykus11/14/2017 1:27:02 AM

I know Alex is not a running quarterback, but has he ever pulled the ball down and run for positive yards in any of the 10 games he played in this year. Hard to believe that option has not presented itself.

by Jerry11/14/2017 1:27:10 AM

As I've noted previously, he knows he isn't a runner so he hangs in the pocket/buys time as long as he can to give his guys a chance to get open. He does have a handful of runs that have gained yardage.

by Jeff Potrykus11/14/2017 1:29:38 AM

Thanks for doing the chat Jeff. I always enjoy these. I have a question about the run game. Obviously JT is special and is having a huge year. When he leaves the game the drop off on the run game is significant. Seems like we are starting to see a glimpse of the “old Shaw” - but I really thought he (and others) would make for an incredible backfield this year. But at this point we would be in real trouble without JT. I know you cited coaches saying Shaw was “pressing”. Do you think that’s it? It could be my imagination but I don’t see some of the big holes that our o-line has created in the past.

by BuckyRox11/14/2017 1:29:57 AM

The holes are there, more than last season. Shaw struggled after being hurt and then he was pressing seeing No. 23 flourish. He showed flashes vs. Iowa, which is a good sign for the team. Thing with Shaw is that he has to see the hole, make one cut and go. If he doesn't see it cleanly and hesitates, he doesn't have the wiggle to elude defenders in the backfield. I realized Saturday night that Ibrahim and Groshek are the only TBs who haven't missed time because of injury. And those are you guys toward the bottom of the depth chart. They'll need Taylor, Shaw, James healthy down the stretch. I think James, who has fresh legs, could be a factor.

by Jeff Potrykus11/14/2017 1:33:06 AM

At this point, we are who we are. The fumbles, interceptions and penalties are due to youth. I know they must work on these things in practice. Maybe they will get burned and lose, maybe not. I am done pulling my hair out. Am I wrong Jeff?

by Onyx from the Village of Sussex11/14/2017 1:33:19 AM

Well, 10 games into the season suggests this is the type of team you'll get. They have cut down/eliminated the pre-snap penalties and those are the worst. Hornibrook has to make better decisions and Taylor needs to avoid letting the ball get away from his body in traffic.

by Jeff Potrykus11/14/2017 1:34:27 AM

Jeff: Michigan seems to have settled on a QB or at least the best of a mediocre bunch. His numbers are against bad teams. Iowa has no wide receiver threats. Michigan probably has better. Do you anticipate their passing game giving UW's defense any trouble? Thanks. Andy

by Andy Shovers11/14/2017 1:34:34 AM

I just started doing some reading and vs. Maryland they threw mostly to TEs and backs. I think just one pass to a WR. They've been giving the kid very safe throws. Not sure this is the week they'll go crazy. Guessing the plan will be simple: run the ball, safe throws and rely on the D.

by Jeff Potrykus11/14/2017 1:35:33 AM

Jeff, I want to throw some numbers out at you. Hornibrook is 4th in the country in interceptions with 12 interceptions on only 206 attempts. The guys with equal or more interceptions have 427, 346, 371, and 380 attempts. Hornibrook has the highest interception rate in the country (minimum 150 passes). Why is this? Is there a root cause for all of his turnovers (lack of arm strength, lack of pocket awareness, stare down receivers)??

by Pete11/14/2017 1:36:01 AM

Pete: See a lengthy answer I gave early in the chat. Basically broke down the picks from FAU on.

by Jeff Potrykus11/14/2017 1:36:32 AM

Good evening Jeff. Got a softball for you. How do you feel about being 10-0 with Hornibrook at QB?Thanks

by mark philippsen11/14/2017 1:38:44 AM

Not sure how to respond other than to say No. 12 has made some costly decisions and has also made a lot of big throws to help them win games.

by Jeff Potrykus11/14/2017 1:39:26 AM

Jeff, when you re-watch the game tapes, do you get a sense that Hornibrook stares down receivers? My sense as I watch games is he really takes a hard look at his first option and neglects to make progressions in a timely fashion. Then if he has to throw to his second or third option, the window of opportunity is much smaller and he lacks the arm strength to get his throw there. I know you believe Hornibrook's arm strength is fine, but his first two picks against Iowa lacked the "zip" necessary for the throws, especially the first one trying to throw across the field.

by Pete11/14/2017 1:39:44 AM

No. I don't think he stares down his receivers. Check out the TD throw to Pryor. He comes out of the play-action fake and looks right. Doesn't like what he sees and looks backside to Pryor. He sees the DB with his back to LOS and sees Pryor hold up hand signaling to put the ball up high so he can go up and get it. The second pick -- thrown toward the Fieldhouse -- didn't lack zip. The ball traveled about 58 yards in the air. He was giving Davis a chance to make play against single coverage. The safety made a better play.

by Jeff Potrykus11/14/2017 1:44:32 AM

Jeff, Amazing how Badgers D able to overcome turnovers and injuries. Michigan QB does not appear to be as good as Iowa's Stanley. How does Michigan compare to Iowa? Can Michigan move the ball on Wis D? Can Wis run on Michigan D?

by JBucky11/14/2017 1:45:08 AM

Michigan has relied on its ground game during three-game winning streak -- 865 yards and 11 TDs - and defense. However, UW's D is better than Rutgers, Minny and MD, the teams Michigan faced the last three games. UW OL is better equipped to do the job this year but Michigan's D is still damn good. I would expect a low-scoring game.

by Jeff Potrykus11/14/2017 1:47:07 AM

Jeff, who are our current backup linebackers, in case of (knock on wood!) injuries. We've lost so many.

by mikeb11/14/2017 1:47:18 AM

I'm assuming you mean inside so that would be Farrar and Maskalunas.

by Jeff Potrykus11/14/2017 1:47:39 AM

To follow up on Bucky's question. Does a healthy James give us more of a positive running game than Shaw? I remember hearing great things about James, and we've yet to see it, even before the injury.

by mikeb11/14/2017 1:47:49 AM

I think Shaw, if he can build on what he showed vs. Iowa, will be used as a runner more than James. Guessing James could be in line to be the third-down back.

by Jeff Potrykus11/14/2017 1:48:27 AM

Hi Jeff, now that basketball season is upon us it got me wondering if you have colleagues in the Big Ten who are covering both basketball and football as featured writers?. It seems like a lot of hard work to cover both football and basketball especially considering how huge college athletics have become.

by Ralph11/14/2017 1:48:40 AM

I am sure there are but in this business things change by the day so until I get on the road and start seeing who is covering hoops this season I'm just not sure. I think most paper still try to have one person on football and one on hoops.

by Jeff Potrykus11/14/2017 1:50:17 AM

Why do you think the Badgers never use play action on first down? It would seem to be effective because of their run game, Do you know why on a pass interference penalty do the refs sometimes do 15 yards and automatic first down and on some calls it is penalized spot of the foul?

by Tom11/14/2017 1:52:04 AM

Off the top of my head: The TD to Pryor was play-action on first down. So was the second pick, late in the second quarter.

by Jeff Potrykus11/14/2017 1:52:44 AM

I was at the game Saturday and it surely looked like a safety when the quarterback was sacked in the end zone. Why wasn’t it.

by Sceiring11/14/2017 1:53:50 AM

Because he was at about the 1-yard line when he was hit and driven backward into the end zone. They marked his forward progress.

by Jeff Potrykus11/14/2017 1:54:23 AM

Hi Jeff, thanks for the chats and the coverage. I will preface my question by saying I am not a Hornibrook hater. I wish it wasn't so, but I do not see Paul Chryst benching him unless the Badgers get at least three touchdowns behind, which unfortunately if they are not careful with these turnovers, might happen against OSU. My question is this: I have been noticing the last few weeks that Hornibrook seems to play more focused and looser, if that is the right word, after throwing his practically obligatory first interception per game. Do you think there is something to this? He gets a little mad at himself and gets more determined?

by Jeff11/14/2017 1:55:06 AM

People have written about this topic. I wrote about it weeks ago. Can't remember which game. I don't think he gets mad/more determined. I think he is a kid who responds well after a mistake. I remember noticing that in camp LAST year. I called his HS coach for a story and he told me that's how he responded in high school.

by Jeff Potrykus11/14/2017 1:56:41 AM

With two very good defenses doing battle Saturday what do you see as the deciding factor for each team to win this game? Jeff in Naples, FL.

by Jeff11/14/2017 1:57:08 AM

I'd like to say turnovers but that didn't decide the game last week. I think this one might come down to a FG. Michigan's kicker is in a bit of a funk right now. Just don't see either team controlling this one for 60 minutes. Both Ds too good.

by Jeff Potrykus11/14/2017 1:58:08 AM

Jeff - things are getting real fun now, I have two questions. Did Jonathan Taylor, who clearly has a fumbling issue, his only demerit, seemed to slow up after the point of initial contact? I thought I saw him cradle the ball with both arms to protect himself for fear of turning it over?

Also, do you think Wisconsin will be looking for their fourth defensive coordinator in four years as I would imagine Jim Leonard will be sought after by other programs for a head coaching position given his excellent play calling.

by David Gould11/14/2017 1:58:28 AM

He fumbled twice vs. Iowa so not sure which one you're asking about. On the fumble near the goal line I think the LB got his helmet on the ball but still thought the kid could have protected it better. Ball was too lose on the one near midfield, which allowed the DB to poke it free.

by Jeff Potrykus11/14/2017 2:00:37 AM

Okay a Jeff, I was on the field at half time for being one of the 100th most tenured continuous season ticket holder. I've seen more Badger football games than you have. You're "I've not seen "x" play is a cop out. I have never heard any announcer or media writer plead such ignorance...including Brett Mussberger. What's your deal? I feel you've become a "homer". Hornibrook has regressed. I was at the Iowa game and then I watched a recording of the game. A Pop Warner coach can tell his d backs to watch Horrnibroook's eyes, he looks at the receiver he throws to, thus pick 6s. It's time for you to come clean. No more being a suck up UW insider. No more snide blow offs of your loyal readers, it really sucks. Do not continue to be a "fake news" media reporter, you're better than that unless you've become a 608 elite.

by fast Cicero eddie11/14/2017 2:00:41 AM

Wow. Well we'll end the night with this lengthy question. Eddie, can't give you a lucid answer as I'm not really sure what you're asking. Until next week.